Page 17 of The Prince Who Loved Me

“You do it,” she said.

“It’s your inheritance.”

She drew a shaky breath. “I don’t know what to expect or how to react. My mom was upset with two grand. I’d be ecstatic with that. Belle’s needs some upgrades and there’s a project I’ve… if I open it, then either I’ll have my dream come true, or it’s back to reality. Plus…”

She went silent.

“Plus…” he prodded.

He was surprised to hear her sniff. “It’s silly. Never mind.”

He put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, offering the comfort of his body. “Your feelings are never silly, Brandi.”

“Feels that way sometime. I don’t see Wendy sitting around being all maudlin.”

“You’re not your cousin. Never have been.”

“I know.” She held up the envelope. “This has her handwriting on it. After this, it’s all done. Grandma will be really gone.”

“Mon ange.” He gave her a quick squeeze, offering his warmth and support. “She’s still around you.”

“I know. And she’s been gone almost a year. See, I told you it was silly.”

Sebastien said nothing, only held her in his arms, breathing in her sweet Brandi scent. He was content. The realization surprised him, as if his life would be complete if he had this moment forever.

God, he loved her.

“Okay.” She pushed herself impossibly closer to him. “I’m opening it.”

She hooked her thumb under the flap of the envelope and tore it open, taking out a folded piece of paper and a check.

“Here.” She handed Sebastien the check and opened the letter. He was hard-pressed not to look at the amount. That belonged to her.

As Brandi read, she sniffed and wiped her eyes. “She wants me free, to defy expectations and do what makes me happy, regardless of anyone else’s opinion. She was always full of support for me. Like you.”

“She knew how special you are,” Sebastien said. “Even when you didn’t believe it yourself.”

She carefully folded the letter and put it back in the envelope.

“Are you ready for the next part?” Sebastien held the check out to her.

She nodded against his shoulder, and he handed it over.

She steeled herself again, then looked at the amount and sat up straight. “Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy shit, Sebastien, she left me twenty-three thousand dollars. And eighteen cents. This has to be a typo. Am I reading this right?”

Her hand was shaking, so he held her wrist so he could read the check. “Twenty-three thousand dollars.”

“And eighteen cents?”

“Yeah, and eighteen cents.” Was that an American thing?

“Twenty-three thousand.” She hopped off the chair and paced the library, fanning herself with the check. Her breath came in short gasps. “I- I- I don’t know what to do.”

He stood in front of her and took her hands. Her fingertips were freezing. “Breathing would be good,mon ange.” He inhaled deeply while maintaining eye contact and she followed suit, and then he exhaled. She mimicked him again.

“Upgrades. Reinvestments.” She started to say something more, but cut herself off. She grabbed his hand. “Come with me.”

Always and without question.